Tufts Establishes Athletics Hall of Fame

To celebrate the rich history of athletics excellence at Tufts spanning more than 150 years, Tufts Athletics has established a Hall of Fame that will induct its inaugural class in the spring of 2018.

The Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame will honor the men and women who, through athletics participation, coaching or service, have distinguished themselves in the field of intercollegiate athletics, brought honor and acclaim to Tufts, and contributed to the success and advancement of intercollegiate athletics at the university.

“Our new Hall of Fame provides an exciting opportunity to honor outstanding Jumbo student-athletes, coaches and staff who have made significant contributions to our proud and rich tradition of athletics excellence here at Tufts,” said Director of Athletics John Morris. “We look forward to welcoming our alumni and friends back to campus this spring to celebrate our history and induct our first class of Hall of Fame honorees.”

Nominations for the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame are now being accepted through December 1, 2017, in four distinct categories: student-athletes, coaches, teams, and athletics department staff. The 11-member Selection Committee, consisting of alumni, coaches and staff, will choose the inaugural class in January 2018, and Tufts Athletics will host a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in the spring.

History: Tufts University's athletics history dates back to the mid-1860's, when informal rowing teams were established by students. Tufts Football played Harvard at Jarvis Field in Cambridge, Mass., on June 4, 1875 in what some believe to be the first game of American football played between two American colleges. Women's sports began when the Jackson College Athletic Association was formed in 1913. The men's and women's athletic programs were combined following the passage of the landmark federal legislation Title IX in 1972.

Also in the 1970s, Jumbo Athletics aligned within the NCAA's Division III and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). During this era, Tufts teams and student-athletes have won a combined 79 national championships. Represented by its famous mascot Jumbo, Tufts Athletics has enjoyed a long history of achievements that will be the centerpiece of our newly established Hall of Fame.